Chicago Transit Sues Trump Administration Over Frozen Funds

A Chicago Transit Authority train in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago. — A Chicago Transit Authority train in the Loop neighborhood of Chicago.
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

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By Shruti Singh

March 20, 2026 at 8:37 PM UTC

Updated on

March 20, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC

The Chicago Transit Authority sued the Trump administration over its freezing of billions of dollars in federal funds intended to modernize and expand the city’s elevated trains and subways.

In a complaint filed Friday in Chicago federal court, the CTA accused the administration of holding funds “for crucial infrastructure projects” hostage for political reasons and asked for a court order unfreezing the money. It said work could soon grind to a halt otherwise.